Olivarez breezes through, rain halts PSC-Philta meet

Eric Jed Olivarez rolled past Jose Nicolas Cano, 6-1, 6-2, to cruise to the semifinal round of the 18 boys’ division before rain stranded 24 players chasing victories in various divisions in the fourth PSC-Philta age group tennis tournament at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Friday.

The top-ranked Olivarez used his power and superb baseline game to dominate Cano and move into the semis against the winner of the Stefan Suarez-Joachim Samson duel in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by Wilson Championship Extra Duty Balls.

Also tipped to advance to the Final Four of the premier division are Jerome Romualdez and second seed Marcen Gonzales, among those whose games were halted due to rain.

Olivarez likewise stayed on course for a double as he led the semifinalists in the 16-under category with a walkover win over Eubert del Rosario in the Group I tournament held in honor of Philippine Sports commissioner Buddy Andrada.